Arka Ristorente Pizzeria Bodrum — Restaurant in Bodrum

This was hands down the worst Italian dining experience I’ve ever had — and I’ve had plenty.

It all started with the burrata: dry, rubbery, and completely tasteless. It was likely a low-quality product left out for hours in the kitchen. I didn’t even know a burrata could resemble a hard cheese until now.

Next came the carpaccio, which was swimming in balsamic vinegar (traditionally, it should be lemon — but never mind). On top of that was a cheap, overpowering dusting of what they called Parmigiano. Honestly, the lowest-grade supermarket parmesan would’ve tasted better.

But the real highlight — or rather, the low point — was the main course. I noticed the pizzas on other tables looked bizarrely flat and lifeless. When mine arrived, I understood why: the dough was hard, dry, and completely devoid of flavor — more like plastic than pizza. I ordered a calzone, and I genuinely had no idea what I was eating. No herbs, no vibrant tomato flavor, no quality mozzarella — just a bland, lifeless mess.

My girlfriend had the spaghetti carbonara, which was no better: overcooked (apparently "al dente" is a foreign concept here) and smothered in a thick, cloying cream sauce with a nauseating raw pork flavor. Simply awful.

Honestly, the chef and management should be ashamed. This felt like frozen, microwaved food — and at those prices, it’s nothing short of a scam. I wouldn’t serve this to a pet.

The biggest insult? I went there because it was a Bib Gourmand recommendation from the Michelin Guide. That alone makes me question the credibility and integrity of the entire guide. If this disaster qualifies, then how can we trust any of their selections?

Avoid at all costs. This is a shameless tourist trap, and I wouldn’t wish...

I agree with most other comments. It is a busier restaurant. Therefore either book a table in advance (no matter what day of week) or be prepared for disappointment. The other option is to come late afternoon, as most tables will be booked by 630pm. Atmosphere is good and don’t worry about being outside in the winter as they have heaters in the ceiling. They play a variety of music from country to Turkish. Service is efficient and gets the job done, not exemplary but efficient. Food, this is where I struggled as the food tastes good, however the delivery is my concern. I ordered bruschetta and it tasted fine, but clearly the cook didn’t understand that placing too much tomatoes would break the not too hard bread. I had the same issue with the pizza, it tasted good but I had to eat it with a fork and knife. I ordered a Caprese, but the dough could not withstand the toppings and could not be held by hand. The pizza is very thin and maybe they should consider a different crust for pizza with more than just sauce. They need to review this only flaw with their pizza. I also ordered a cocktail, it didn’t look quite right and it was missing an ingredient. It shouldn’t have looked like it did. Based upon those factors, I cannot give it 5!stars, albeit it doesn’t appear to bother people from coming. Oh, they don’t change the tablecloths, as mine had food stains from previous guests and I watched that they didn’t change the tablecloth between other table servings, just sprayed with some substance from a spray bottle. Would I return, probably not. Too many issues that they are not...

Arka Pizzeria used to be Bodrum’s hidden gem, an intimate, cozy pizzeria tucked away, embodying the very essence of authentic Italian dining with a Turkish twist. We cherished this place so much that we even hosted our wedding dinner here, drawn to its personal touches, curated wine displays, and the undeniable warmth of its small, charming location. Back then, Arka truly lived up to its name—meaning “back rows” in Turkish—providing a haven away from the main tourist drag.

But Arka’s recent move to a larger, more commercial space has been a disappointment. It feels like a factory churning out pizzas now, losing all that made it special. The wine displays and cozy vibe are gone, replaced by an assembly-line atmosphere. The quality of the food, once excellent, has notably declined, and it’s clear that demand has outpaced their ability to maintain the authenticity and attention to detail that once defined them.

It seems like Arka is transforming into yet another large-scale, impersonal venue we see too often now in the ‘new’ Turkey. I wouldn’t be surprised if the next step is adding shisha to their offerings, fully aligning with the trending commercial scene rather than preserving what initially made them stand out.

If you’re looking for the Arka of old—a place of charm, intimacy, and exceptional quality—this is no longer it. A sad loss for...